Six villagers injured by artillery attacks in Bee Lin
July 12, 2023
HURFOM: On July 7, 2023, Zee Wun village based the 314th Artillery Battalion had launched an artillery attack on Shwe Yaung Pya village, Bee Lin Township, Mon State, injuring six villagers including two children.
Shwe Yaung Pya village is mostly inhabited by Karen people and under the control of the 1st Brigade of the Karen National Liberation Army.
“We’ve heard gunshots since early morning. The whole village is in fear. We’ve had experience of being attacked with artillery weapons. A child and a woman have serious injuries,” said a villager from Shwe Yaung Pya village.
Three artillery shells dropped and exploded on three houses in Shwe Yaung Pya village and two children, a man and two women were injured. They all were sent to the clinic of the Karen National Union and provided further treatment.
“After we attack their bases, they are always launching artillery attacks on villages. I’ve strongly condemned that they’ve intentionally targeted innocent villagers who are not military targets. The military must take responsibility for their actions in the future,” said Pa Do Saw Aye Nine from the Thaton District Karen National Union.
The Thaton District Karen National Union has stated that in Bee Lin Township, at least 10 villagers have been killed and more than 30 injured by artillery attacks since the coup began in 2021.